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Thursday, January 12, 2012

For this week's Bookanista Review, I'm featuring DOUBLE, by Jenny Valentine--a book I'm betting a lot of you haven't heard of yet.

Here's how the publisher describes the story:

When the sixteen-year-old runaway Chap is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel, his life changes dramatically. Chap takes on Cassiel’s identity, gaining the family and friends he’s always dreamed of having. But becoming someone else isn’t as easy as he hoped—and Chap isn’t the only one hiding a secret. As he teeters on the brink of discovery and begins to unravel the mystery behind Cassiel’s disappearance, Chap realizes that he’s in much deeper danger than he could have imagined.

After all, you can’t just steal a life and expect to get away with it.

Award-winning author Jenny Valentine delivers an explosive mystery where dark secrets, betrayal, and loss pave the way for one teen’s chance at redemption.

I'll confess, when I found this ARC in my TBR pile I'd never heard of it. In fact, I couldn't even remember where I got it--if a publicist sent it to me or if I picked it up at one of the conventions I went to last year. But that was why I decided to bump it up the pile--I was looking for something different--something where I hadn't already heard all there was to hear about it from reviews and buzz and whatnot. And I'm SO glad I did.

This book was addicting. I read it in one day, even though I was sick and even though I really needed to be writing. I just couldn't put it down. I had to know how Chap was going to get out of the crazy situation he'd gotten himself into--and I had to know what the heck was really going on. The voice was fresh, the writing was clean and riveting, and while I can't say that the ending was a *complete* surprise--it definitely had a few twists I didn't see coming.

But I think what I love best is that DOUBLE reminded me that there are tons of amazing books out there that aren't necessarily plastered over every single blog/tumblr/twitter/facebook feed. Its so easy to get caught up in all the BIG books--and many of those books *are* amazing. But there are plenty of incredible books floating slightly lower on the radar too. And I'm going to make a bit more of an effort to find them.

Which is why I've also decided to share my ARC with one of you. To enter, make sure you follow my blog (so you'll know when I post the winner) and leave a comment on this post by 11:59pm PST on Saturday, January 21st. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, January 22nd. International entries are--as always--welcome.

I do also *hope* that whoever wins will end up posting a review for the book somewhere--or blogging/tweeting/FB-ing about it--to help spread the love and get some more mileage out of the prize. I can't require that for entry. But I'm hoping the winner will feel inspired to. :)

Ready?

GO!

For more fabulous book recommendations, check out what my fellow Bookanistas are talking about:

38 comments:

Ohhhh, I like the sound of this one! I love when something new and different ends up in my TBR pile too. Don't get me wrong, I love my love stories, and vampires, and shapeshifters etc, but something truly different is always a breath of fresh air. Thanks for the giveaway!britneywyatt[at]gmail[dot]com

Thanks again for the awesome (international!!) contests. I'm excited that you are going to try and bring less buzzed about books onto the radar! I'm always looking for new stuff to read, but sometimes I feel like I'm getting the same suggestions from all directions!

You're right--I haven't heard of this one. I'm glad you reviewed it. There really are SO MANY great books that don't get the hype. I did a post about that at Project MG Mayhem on Monday--some great, but "quiet", MG hits of 2011. Here's the link:

:O I would love to read this one! I like books from different genres sometimes I can read about The Tudors or historical romance, then switch to YA books, like Vampire Academy and the Chick Lit novels like P.S I love you! Is nice that now and then you can enjoy differents types of book and is better when you never know what will it be and discover a new world between those pages! :)

I've been looking forward to this book for a while. The premise reminds me of a Law & Order episode I saw a long time ago :) Please count me in to win, I'd love to read and review this. Thank you for the opportunity!

This sounds awesome, and if you liked it I know it will be, because you have awesome taste. Speaking of awesome taste, Keeper of the Lost Cities comes out the day before my sixteenth birthday, so I know what I'm asking for!

Yay-I love comments! Thank you so much! (But please remember to keep your comments spoiler-free. Also, I try to keep this a happy, positive place. Any arguing or intense debate--on any subject will be removed. Let's keep this a safe, fun space.

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